Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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Permanant joint damage

TWGarrett
TWGarrett
Ok, we see to be in agreement that my symptoms are RA. Every joint in my hands,wrist,feet,ankles and knees are in pain, swollen and or hot. Until I am proven disabled by the state I can't get medicaid nor can I afford to go to a Rhuemy. How long should it take before permanant joint damage could start to take place?
deleted_user
deleted_user
My permanent joint damage started in the first year. My toes turned up, and I could never walk properly again. I would see your rheumy and get xrays. Why do you have to have permanent damage? Isn't being in terrible pain and having to take drugs that destroy your body enough for them?

I've been on disability for 10 years. In a moment of madness about 2 years ago, I went back to the teacher's union, and talked about retraining to do a sitting job, and less hours. They told me don't be ridiculous, you could never commit to teaching with your illnesses. So I stopped feeling guilty. Little did I know that in the next month I would get surgery that would make my foot worse, I would lose my voice, and have 3 major med changes.

I hope you can qualify soon. It is bad enough having RA, let alone worrying about finances.
deleted_user
deleted_user
You will need a rheumy to help with the paperwork for the disability..you have a better chance of getting that approved with a Rheumy versus a primary physician filling it out.. Also medicaid/medicare isn't available to those on SSDI/SS until they are in system for 24 months so be careful on what you are waiting for...i have been on SSDI for 12 months now and I still have to wait and addition 12 months before I am entitled to Medicare...

Check out: www.disabilitysecrets.com/ this website will give ou all the info you need to get started and who should be filling out what for you... lots of great information for filing...

good luck
tess